As I file this update from my desk in the Capital Annex, it is hard to believe that January is over and we are almost a third through with this year’s legislative session.
We continue working on impactful legislation and sending bills and resolutions to the Senate for their consideration. In fact, the first bill passed by both chambers is now on its way to the Governor’s desk. The legislation, HB 186, would eliminate expensive requirements that could have affected more than 171,000 Kentuckians that operate direct sales businesses.
This week in Frankfort, I got to visit with five constituent groups: Anthony with the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 227, Grayson County Pharmacist Trevor Ray, Members from Nolin RECC on behalf the Kentucky Electric Cooperatives, Hardin County School Administrators advocating on behalf of the Kentucky Association of School Administrators, and Charlie and Cathy Corbett with Friends of Rough River.
On the House floor this week, my colleagues and I focused on health and children’s issues, while our budget committees and colleagues have begun reviewing the budget draft presented by Governor Beshear on Tuesday. The Senate will now be considering legislation that closes a loophole in our existing registered sex offender statutes.
Existing laws prohibit registered sex offenders from being on the grounds of, or living within 1,000 feet of, a public playground. The House voted on Tuesday to slightly expand those requirements to publicly operated playgrounds on leased property as well.
On Thursday, the House voted to approve a resolution asking the federal government to complete research on medical marijuana. The bill, HCR 5, sends a message to federal regulators that our state joins others in requesting more federal research into the safety and efficacy of medical marijuana.
This has been an important issue among constituents in the 18th District, so I was proud to vote yes on this resolution.
Members of the Health and Family Services Committee approved legislation with the potential to boost efforts to find cures to major diseases. The measure, HB 5, would set Kentucky on course to improve public health, save taxpayer money, and promote medical research. The bill creates a multi-state compact to offer prizes for curing major diseases; the prize would be equal to five years of taxpayer savings. There is no risk to taxpayers because, if there is no cure, there would be no payment from the compact.
The bill now goes to the full House for a vote. I am a co-sponsor on this piece of legislation.
The House Education Committee passed several pieces of legislation this week, including a bill aimed at helping students access millions in grants and aid for college tuition. The measure, HB 87, would require high school students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The money is currently available, yet thousands of Kentuckians do not take the time to fill out the FAFSA documents.
The bill does include language that allows parents to opt out.
On Tuesday, Gov. Andy Beshear presented his much-awaited budget proposal to members of the House and Senate. This is the first step in a process that will take the better part of this session. The final product of this work is a spending plan that provides funding for state agencies and programs over the next two fiscal years. I am reviewing the document Gov. Beshear presented, which is filed for consideration as HB 352.
I will continue to update you on the budget process over the next few weeks.
If you have any questions or comments about this session, I can be reached during the week from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. (EST) through the toll-free message line at 1-800-372-7181. They will ask you to share contact information, but I will get the message and I do indeed appreciate hearing from constituents.
You can also contact me via e-mail at Samara.Heavrin@lrc.ky.gov. You can keep track of committee meetings and potential legislation through the Kentucky Legislature Home Page at www.lrc.ky.gov and you can also follow me on Facebook @kyrepsamaraheavrin. I have been posting daily updates of floor votes when we are in session.
By Rep. Samara Heavrin
